John Richard Cooper 1896

[Hazel Mayne]

Hello,

I wonder if you could help me with a photo of my grandad John Richard Cooper born 10 March 1896 in Manchester.   I've got this old photo (downloaded) and I'm wondering if you can tell me if his uniform belongs to The Manchester Regiment?   I can't find any details of grandad's war records, but I know he was in hospital sometime during WW1 because of the pale uniform he's wearing in another photo I have of him.  He was a true Mancunian all his life.  At the time of WW1 he would have been living in the Bradford area of Manchester.

[sphinx]

Hazel,

The uniforms they are wearing were worn by everyone in WW! irrespective of the branch of service or regiment.
The way to ID a soldier is through his badges, however, these uniforms do not have any fitted

regards

[grimmy]

There is one John R. Cooper (among many) whose MIC indicates he was in the Mancs:

RAMC. Pte. 52214
Manchester Regt. Pte. 62276

[tonyrod]

hi Hazal, and welcome to the forum, far two many J COOPER and a few JOHN COOPER, listed  in the man reg,  looking at the photo  the two in uniform look brothers, is that correct ?
his this part of the family  in 1911,    tonyrod

John Richard Cooper
Age in 1911:   15
Estimated Birth Year:   abt 1896
Street Address:   18 Shakespeare St Bradford Manchester
Occupation:   Railway Porter

William Cooper   42 father
Annie Cooper   38 mother
John Richard Cooper   15
Charles Cooper   8  brother
Frederick William Cooper 1 brother

[grimmy]

That's the right family.

William Cooper and Annie (nee Wrench) had:

John Richard b.1896, d.1966
Fanny b.1900, d.1902
Charles b.1903
Thomas b.1905
Frederick William b.1910

Given their birth dates, I doubt the other lad on the photo is a brother.

[harribobs]

they both look like brand new uniforms and as Sphinx says, no badges 

[Hazel Mayne]

Thanks to all who replied.  I don't think it's a brother of grandads - at first I thought it was his brother Thomas (this other chap in the photo looks like Thomas), but it can't be as Thomas was born in 1905!!!  I asked my uncle (the last remaining child of John Richard) and he doesn't recognise the other chap in the photo or the couple!

Does anyone know how I could check out the possible Pte John Richard Cooper that Grimmy told me about?  New to all this.

Thank you all again

Hazel

[tonyrod]

hi hazel, just looked at the manchester roll of honour, we have
j cooper cpl ramc, lived ,9 parkfield st rusholme,
and 1 living at 35 redvers st ardwick
if someone can check the absent voter list,  this might give some further information,
as for the photo, couple could be his parents, and a cousin ??,

[grimmy]

Hazel - could you point out which is JRC on the photo, just to make sure.

'Hand on shoulder' suggest a family tie. And there's a resemblance (to my eyes anyway) between the two lads and the lady.

It might help if you also post the other WWI photo of him - you never know......

[tonyrod]

 grimmy there is a red x on the head  of the lad by the old man, I would have thought that was him ??

[mack]

62276 john richard cooper isnt your granddad,this soldier lived at steelhouse lane,wolverhampton

just a point about the uniforms,both men are wearing the economy type uniform[no pleats in the breast pockets]these were introduced later in the war

mack

[grimmy]

grimmy there is a red x on the head  of the lad by the old man, I would have thought that was him ??

Yes, saw the X, but we needed to be sure that it marked the right spot.

Now we know - here he is:

[Hazel Mayne]

As requested - Here's a photo of my Grandad in a Military Hospital somewhere!  Also a photo of his mother taken in 1920 and I'm sure you'll all agree, doesn't look anything like that elegant lady in the 1st photo I sent of my Grandfather with his arm around the shoulder of some gentleman.  This group photo must be with some reletives, but I haven't yet been able to sort out who.

Hazel

[Hazel Mayne]

Hi Grimmy,

Where did you get that 'portrait' photo of my Grandfather - I thought I was the only person who had it!  At least you were able to prove that you were looking for the right John Richard Cooper   LOL

Hazel

[grimmy]

Hazel - I nicked it from your Ancestry site  . Hope you don't mind (it was in a good cause)

PS Just spotted another leg in the hospital photo.